I'm not blogging so that I can be the next linked blog on Snippet & Ink. I don't need a book deal like the Offbeat Bride. While I totally enjoy those sites, I don't have that kind of time and I'm not interested in blogging as a profession. I'm glad that all the sites I visit exist. I love my Wedding bookmark and it's definitely the first thing I consider as I'm opening Mozilla.
But that's not what I'm doing here. I don't need you to think that I'm awesome or trendy. I don't want to waste my time uploading photos. I'm just talking things out. This wedding is a huge deal for me. I've given up so much. I've been so limited. This is what I've been waiting for and the closest thing I have to a mother is in Turkey. So this blog is what I'm rambling to. I'm working out my options, my frustrations, my highs and lows in this blog.
It's not for you to get inspired by. That's great if you're enjoying reading it, but don't send me requests for more frequent updates. This was not created for you. It was created for me and, in case you haven't been able to figure it out yet, I'm okay with doing things just for myself.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
I was totally going to use that, you thief.
Other wedding blogs are nomming on my time. I can't read all the damn wedding blogs that I want to read without my fiance wondering if I'm insane and without questioning it myself. Weddingbee alone updates more often than the Twitter page of a 16 year old with an iPhone.
And then there are the contests. Oh, contests. I am so burnt OUT on contests. I enter for things only when I would legitimately use them, even though everyone tells me I should enter for everything. I get that that is what most people do. But, I'm not a jerk. Being a bride lets me realize just how expensive everything is. How could I then, consciously, steal items that I have no burning desire to use away from those who get to mark an expense off their list if they win? Because I could resell it? How dirty. I'd much rather stand on my soapbox and let you know that if you're a serial contester who enters for things they're uninterested in with the sole purpose to resell it... I'm judging you. Judge, judge, judge. Don't give me your nonsense. You're a thief. You are taking what could be someone's dream item away. Stop reading my blog and make yourself a bleach filled dinner.
And then there are the contests. Oh, contests. I am so burnt OUT on contests. I enter for things only when I would legitimately use them, even though everyone tells me I should enter for everything. I get that that is what most people do. But, I'm not a jerk. Being a bride lets me realize just how expensive everything is. How could I then, consciously, steal items that I have no burning desire to use away from those who get to mark an expense off their list if they win? Because I could resell it? How dirty. I'd much rather stand on my soapbox and let you know that if you're a serial contester who enters for things they're uninterested in with the sole purpose to resell it... I'm judging you. Judge, judge, judge. Don't give me your nonsense. You're a thief. You are taking what could be someone's dream item away. Stop reading my blog and make yourself a bleach filled dinner.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Over It
"I'm over it" has become my wedding planning mantra. I don't want to become a Bridezilla but I'm constantly amazed by how ridiculous anything is when the word wedding is involved that it's hard for me not to channel my angry Latina half and start calling people 'idiots' in Spanish.
I'm not good at biting my tongue. I never have been, so when Unnamed Historical Museum tells me that renting their venue for a wedding is somehow 2,000 more expensive than having a Sweet 16 with DOUBLE the attendants there, I can't help but ask why. Her response? Absolutely nothing. Chalk that up to five vendors who I have officially sacred off. I'm awesome... or something. Well, at least I know how to get vendors to stop stalking me.
Every layman's response to my question regarding the price of weddings boils down to this: they're more expensive because they can be. Bullshit. If enough people refused to pay inflated prices, we'd be fine. So, I've started to use a tactic. I'm asking people for quotes for a party. A reception is a party, so don't give me any heat about lying. Then I'll slip in that it's for my reception and I'm watching as people literally try to find a way to back peddle. Every single time they've come up with a reason for it to suddenly cost more. Sickening. And you know me, I tell them so.
TL;DR: I'm out of control.
So how can I regain control? By telling myself that I'm over it, even though I'm totally not. I have other things to focus on, like trying to find a venue, or a theme, or a caterer (I still haven't met with Abbey Rd - that's next week).
What happened to Dallas? Eh, turns out that they require a minimum for their catering. Big surprise. I knew that the sentence "The venue is free as long as you use our catering" should have had something tied onto it. We're not having an open bar, which drastically decreases how much we're spending with any caterer like that. That, my friends, can really mess you up if your vendor wants you to spend 8,000 on food and drinks.
Everyone keeps suggesting that my venue fit my theme. Wait, what theme? Am I getting married or throwing a prom here? So I start Googling themes and the first thing I see is a bridesmaid's lament about a terrible Midsummer Night's Dream theme where the bride made them all wear stupid fairy wings. I laughed.
More inspiration boards show me butterflies, Victorian, Retro, lemons, and more ugly color combinations than these eyes can handle. We're too eclectic for that. Every inspiration board seems like too much, even if I like a sample of this and a bit of that. Butterflies are cute. I liked this one daisy bouquet that had a fake butterfly nestled on it, but that's the extent I'm willing to take the butterfly theme to. I feel similarly about most themes.
So, I'd like to dub my theme: Whatever the hell I think is awesome. My inspiration board is my keen sense of what is awesome. Is it all going to flow? Probably not, but I'll like it and honestly, that's all that I really care about.
I'm not good at biting my tongue. I never have been, so when Unnamed Historical Museum tells me that renting their venue for a wedding is somehow 2,000 more expensive than having a Sweet 16 with DOUBLE the attendants there, I can't help but ask why. Her response? Absolutely nothing. Chalk that up to five vendors who I have officially sacred off. I'm awesome... or something. Well, at least I know how to get vendors to stop stalking me.
Every layman's response to my question regarding the price of weddings boils down to this: they're more expensive because they can be. Bullshit. If enough people refused to pay inflated prices, we'd be fine. So, I've started to use a tactic. I'm asking people for quotes for a party. A reception is a party, so don't give me any heat about lying. Then I'll slip in that it's for my reception and I'm watching as people literally try to find a way to back peddle. Every single time they've come up with a reason for it to suddenly cost more. Sickening. And you know me, I tell them so.
TL;DR: I'm out of control.
So how can I regain control? By telling myself that I'm over it, even though I'm totally not. I have other things to focus on, like trying to find a venue, or a theme, or a caterer (I still haven't met with Abbey Rd - that's next week).
What happened to Dallas? Eh, turns out that they require a minimum for their catering. Big surprise. I knew that the sentence "The venue is free as long as you use our catering" should have had something tied onto it. We're not having an open bar, which drastically decreases how much we're spending with any caterer like that. That, my friends, can really mess you up if your vendor wants you to spend 8,000 on food and drinks.
Everyone keeps suggesting that my venue fit my theme. Wait, what theme? Am I getting married or throwing a prom here? So I start Googling themes and the first thing I see is a bridesmaid's lament about a terrible Midsummer Night's Dream theme where the bride made them all wear stupid fairy wings. I laughed.
More inspiration boards show me butterflies, Victorian, Retro, lemons, and more ugly color combinations than these eyes can handle. We're too eclectic for that. Every inspiration board seems like too much, even if I like a sample of this and a bit of that. Butterflies are cute. I liked this one daisy bouquet that had a fake butterfly nestled on it, but that's the extent I'm willing to take the butterfly theme to. I feel similarly about most themes.
So, I'd like to dub my theme: Whatever the hell I think is awesome. My inspiration board is my keen sense of what is awesome. Is it all going to flow? Probably not, but I'll like it and honestly, that's all that I really care about.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Catering Restrictions
This is something I'm having trouble wrapping my head around. Vendors with catering restrictions are just ridiculous. It's MY wedding day. It's MY thousands of dollars. It's my family and friends and things should be reflective of what we want. I should be able to use any caterer that I want as long as they are licensed. I should be able to use any cake company that I want. I should be able to use any DJ that I want. I shouldn't have to pay for nuts and mints when I don't want any damn nuts or mints.
Now, I understand other restrictions like why I can't throw rice in certain venues. I understand why I can't tack decorations up or cause otherwise particular changes to certain landscapes or buildings that may be used for other things.
However, if you're going to tell me that I have to use your catering company, your food better be amazing. If it's not and I'm honest with you and you're not willing to work with me, then stop harassing me. I'm simply not interested in being bullied into your inadequate food.
Dallas doesn't seem to have these same ridiculous restrictions. I think there are too many options for people to have such close connections with each other. Dallas is starting to win by a landslide... I just wish it was for more of the right reasons.
Now, I understand other restrictions like why I can't throw rice in certain venues. I understand why I can't tack decorations up or cause otherwise particular changes to certain landscapes or buildings that may be used for other things.
However, if you're going to tell me that I have to use your catering company, your food better be amazing. If it's not and I'm honest with you and you're not willing to work with me, then stop harassing me. I'm simply not interested in being bullied into your inadequate food.
Dallas doesn't seem to have these same ridiculous restrictions. I think there are too many options for people to have such close connections with each other. Dallas is starting to win by a landslide... I just wish it was for more of the right reasons.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
The Something Special
I haven't written in two weeks, and the problem of the venue isn't solved. However, we're still looking at new places and weighing our current options. I haven't been impressed with any of the caterers, outside of the Magnolia, so far but I am meeting with Abbey Road Catering next Wednesday. We briefly met them at the Palace bridal show.
Right now, I can't stack on the venue track for too long without feeling frustrated, so I've been looking at tackling other issues. A main one has been figuring out how to DIY the photobooth. It's so important to me that we have one, but there is no way I'm okay with paying a thousand dollars or more when I have a professional camera and a tech savvy fiance. We've amassed a small handful of websites full of other people's tips and Joseph's duty is to understand all the technical jargon.
Even though he's definitely interested in all the aspects of the wedding, he leaves most final decisions up to me. I think he's excited about this project because it's totally within his hands.
In the meantime, it's my charge to come up with small, special, and inexpensive ways to add some oomph into our wedding. I'd rather spend our money on tangible things that can create memories than engraved napkins.
I've run across a few neat ideas, but the Something Special still eludes me.
Right now, I can't stack on the venue track for too long without feeling frustrated, so I've been looking at tackling other issues. A main one has been figuring out how to DIY the photobooth. It's so important to me that we have one, but there is no way I'm okay with paying a thousand dollars or more when I have a professional camera and a tech savvy fiance. We've amassed a small handful of websites full of other people's tips and Joseph's duty is to understand all the technical jargon.
Even though he's definitely interested in all the aspects of the wedding, he leaves most final decisions up to me. I think he's excited about this project because it's totally within his hands.
In the meantime, it's my charge to come up with small, special, and inexpensive ways to add some oomph into our wedding. I'd rather spend our money on tangible things that can create memories than engraved napkins.
I've run across a few neat ideas, but the Something Special still eludes me.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Location, Location, Location
I realize that I should probably have an introductory post, but there's something on my mind that is pretty much the catalyst for me creating this blog, so I'm going to get that out of my system first. Simply put, I've been engaged for almost 15 months and I don't have a venue.
When it comes to venues, I'm still stuck. I've toured about 25 options, and I'll estimate that for every tour, I've chatted with four other venues that I've set aside. Beyond that is the raw number of places that I've internet stalked. It's a problem. Currently, we like three places and might like a fourth, which we can't view until it's completed in March. Why don't we just stick with the three we like? Well, there are some problems...
The one I like the best, the Chateau at the Place (http://www.thepalaceok.com/), requires that I use their in-house catering. I'm not impressed with their menus. It feels very generic, kinda like the stuff that I'd get during extracurricular events in college. I'm a foodie that has been working against a fairly serious health issue that I let go for way too long. So not only do I want the food at my wedding to be delicious, I want it to be healthful and that often comes with quality. I can't say for sure that the quality of their food is sub par. I haven't asked to set up a tasting, which is definitely something I'll require from any caterer. However, the menu isn't selling me. I'd rather have action stations than buffet options, because action stations offer fresher food.
The Chesapeake Boathouse (http://www.chesapeakeboathouse.org/index2.html) also holds our interest. It's completely different from the Chateau, which has a rich and rustic Tuscany feel. The Boathouse is comprised of clean lines, is very bright and airy, and lies along a stunning river. However, said river is owned by the city, who sometimes likes to drain it, regardless of when your wedding day is. It also has a closed space between the dance area and the reception/dining area. I don't like it being closed off in this fashion. Not only does it seem to me like this will create a safe haven for those who are more nervous about dancing, but I'm concerned that it's a guarantee that my guests will not mingle. On the flipside, I can totally bring my own caterer here and I have an appointment today with Johnnie's Catering (http://www.johnniescatering.com/) today to see what they can offer me.
The last one is in another city. The Magnolia Hotel (http://magnoliahoteldallas.com/dallas.aspx) in downtown Dallas has been our must-stay location for nearly three years. Their Pegasus Room is pretty stunning and, best of all, completely free of charge. While the Pegasus Room is a great reception area, the catering manager didn't seem sold on me using the room as my ceremony venue as well. The options she showed me I was not crazy about. So I need to revisit with her regarding this and see if we can figure something out. Regarding it's pluses, it has fantastic catering that is fresh, healthful, and affordable. My concerns lie within the other planning aspects of my wedding. Can I really make 150 cupcakes and travel three hours with them? How expensive is a DJ in Dallas going to be? We have a photographer, Mandy Davis of Dinsmore Studios (http://www.dinsmorestudio.com/) and she will travel, but tack on traveling costs and the price of her room for the night and it's just one more tiny dent in our budget.
This fourth option I'm very interested in. The Sand Plum (http://www.thesandplum.com/) in Guthrie is stunning. We loved viewing it last January, but in no way could we afford their ballroom option with decent catering and their smaller option is just a bit too constricting. They are opening up a new section that should be an in-between, and so I'm holding out to see it. I'm not sure that it will be our golden ticket, but it's definitely the last on my list of venues to consider.
The important task I have now is to figure out where we'll get married if The Little Sand Plum isn't our saving grace. The boathouse is probably my least favorite option now, even though they are definitely extremely customizable. That makes me wonder why I'm visiting this caterer today. However, perhaps if my tasting with The Palace backs up my fears, I can make a plea to use an outside caterer (providing that Johnnie's is as impressive as I've heard). The Magnolia is pulling at my heartstrings, but I'm just really afraid of the additional costs of holding a wedding in Dallas. Joseph and I have no one to even ask for financial help from, so this is completely up to us and we're limiting ourselves so that we can have a nice honeymoon and start house hunting.
I've been thinking of ways to get friends to help. But unlike everyone who "pulls off" a large wedding for a low price in my wedding magazines... I know no one who can hand press beautiful invitations for me, etc etc. I'm not lamenting my position. I have well over 400 days to put this baby together. I can do this, but I'm probably going to have to blog out a lot of thoughts in the process.
When it comes to venues, I'm still stuck. I've toured about 25 options, and I'll estimate that for every tour, I've chatted with four other venues that I've set aside. Beyond that is the raw number of places that I've internet stalked. It's a problem. Currently, we like three places and might like a fourth, which we can't view until it's completed in March. Why don't we just stick with the three we like? Well, there are some problems...
The one I like the best, the Chateau at the Place (http://www.thepalaceok.com/), requires that I use their in-house catering. I'm not impressed with their menus. It feels very generic, kinda like the stuff that I'd get during extracurricular events in college. I'm a foodie that has been working against a fairly serious health issue that I let go for way too long. So not only do I want the food at my wedding to be delicious, I want it to be healthful and that often comes with quality. I can't say for sure that the quality of their food is sub par. I haven't asked to set up a tasting, which is definitely something I'll require from any caterer. However, the menu isn't selling me. I'd rather have action stations than buffet options, because action stations offer fresher food.
The Chesapeake Boathouse (http://www.chesapeakeboathouse.org/index2.html) also holds our interest. It's completely different from the Chateau, which has a rich and rustic Tuscany feel. The Boathouse is comprised of clean lines, is very bright and airy, and lies along a stunning river. However, said river is owned by the city, who sometimes likes to drain it, regardless of when your wedding day is. It also has a closed space between the dance area and the reception/dining area. I don't like it being closed off in this fashion. Not only does it seem to me like this will create a safe haven for those who are more nervous about dancing, but I'm concerned that it's a guarantee that my guests will not mingle. On the flipside, I can totally bring my own caterer here and I have an appointment today with Johnnie's Catering (http://www.johnniescatering.com/) today to see what they can offer me.
The last one is in another city. The Magnolia Hotel (http://magnoliahoteldallas.com/dallas.aspx) in downtown Dallas has been our must-stay location for nearly three years. Their Pegasus Room is pretty stunning and, best of all, completely free of charge. While the Pegasus Room is a great reception area, the catering manager didn't seem sold on me using the room as my ceremony venue as well. The options she showed me I was not crazy about. So I need to revisit with her regarding this and see if we can figure something out. Regarding it's pluses, it has fantastic catering that is fresh, healthful, and affordable. My concerns lie within the other planning aspects of my wedding. Can I really make 150 cupcakes and travel three hours with them? How expensive is a DJ in Dallas going to be? We have a photographer, Mandy Davis of Dinsmore Studios (http://www.dinsmorestudio.com/) and she will travel, but tack on traveling costs and the price of her room for the night and it's just one more tiny dent in our budget.
This fourth option I'm very interested in. The Sand Plum (http://www.thesandplum.com/) in Guthrie is stunning. We loved viewing it last January, but in no way could we afford their ballroom option with decent catering and their smaller option is just a bit too constricting. They are opening up a new section that should be an in-between, and so I'm holding out to see it. I'm not sure that it will be our golden ticket, but it's definitely the last on my list of venues to consider.
The important task I have now is to figure out where we'll get married if The Little Sand Plum isn't our saving grace. The boathouse is probably my least favorite option now, even though they are definitely extremely customizable. That makes me wonder why I'm visiting this caterer today. However, perhaps if my tasting with The Palace backs up my fears, I can make a plea to use an outside caterer (providing that Johnnie's is as impressive as I've heard). The Magnolia is pulling at my heartstrings, but I'm just really afraid of the additional costs of holding a wedding in Dallas. Joseph and I have no one to even ask for financial help from, so this is completely up to us and we're limiting ourselves so that we can have a nice honeymoon and start house hunting.
I've been thinking of ways to get friends to help. But unlike everyone who "pulls off" a large wedding for a low price in my wedding magazines... I know no one who can hand press beautiful invitations for me, etc etc. I'm not lamenting my position. I have well over 400 days to put this baby together. I can do this, but I'm probably going to have to blog out a lot of thoughts in the process.
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